Okay I need help This is the second time I have got into poison Ivy!! last time I had it on my face, neck, lower back and legs. I got it before it became to bad and all healed well. Now I have it on both my lower legs and a spot on my leg about five inches long and one and a half inches wide and it has blistered (I think thats what you call it it) and is weeping uncontrolably! This morning is was weeping a little, and I put three pieces of gauze across it to keep it from getting on my pants and boots, and it has just gotten a whole lot worse, I'm scared to put more gauze on it and it get even worse I have been putting calimine,benydryll, oatmeal baths, and used a product called zanfell(thats suposed to draw out the oil) and it is still getting worse. Any one have any home remidies that will stop this weaping! its gross, it weaps so much in a few minutes it is running down my leg!! PLEASE HELP ME (not to mention it hurts and itches like heck!
First, don't put gauze on it--it needs to air out and dry up. Get some spray-on calamine lotion--it costs more, but it's really worth it because you don't have to use cotton balls or tissue to put it on. Spray it on the rash and keep it uncovered. It needs to dry up, and covering it keeps it moist. You can also take benadryl for the itching. If it gets worse, you may need to go get a shot from your doctor. I usually end up having to get a shot every summer, I'm highly allergic to poison ivy. Keep it clean, but don't scrub hard--that will only cause the weeping to continue. Keep applying the calamine as needed. Try not to scratch, although you're going to want to. I really feel for you my friend, I've been through it MANY times. Good luck.
Alicia, try making a cornstarch paste..all you have to do is use cornstarch and water, it doesn't need to be runny, but not Real thick either. spread it around then over it.. I'm highly alergic to poison ivy, that's what my grandmother use to use on me.. my mother did also. But it's worth a shot.. good luck.. I hope you get some relief soon..
Find a soap with Jewelweed in it (from a healthfood store) and it will work wonders. I believe that Burt's Bees has a poison ivy soap that contains Jewelweed, along with some other good things. If that doesn't work quickly, you may have to see your doctor.
Is it supposed to weep that much? Sounds suspicious. I would go to the doctor and get it looked at. Could it be infected?
I fell so sorry for you! This must be terrible!
You could also try a couple of Epsom salt baths, aloe vera (fresh gel from the plant is best), tea tree oil, baking soda paste.
After the bath, you just want to pat dry - don't rub - if possible air dry and then apply calamine lotion.
Hope this helps,
~V~
I hope this helps, I have had it before but never that severe.
What is the treatment for poisoning from these plants?
The best approach to poison ivy dermatitis is prevention. Once it begins, the rash will usually clear on its own by 14-21 days. Treatment is directed at controlling the itching. Oral antihistamines (like Benadryl) may help the itch somewhat, but often do no more than make people drowsy. Cortisone creams, whether over-the-counter or by prescription, are only helpful if applied right away, before blisters appear, or much later, when the blisters have dried up. Compresses with cool water or Burow's solution (available without prescription) can help dry ooze faster.
When the rash is severe, such as when it affects the face or causes extensive blistering, oral steroids (for example, prednisone) help produce rapid improvement. This course of therapy should be maintained, often in decreasing doses, for 10-14 days or even longer in some cases, to prevent having the rash rebound and become severe again. Patients who are given a six-day pack of cortisone pills often get worse again when they complete it, because the dose was too low and kept up for too short a time.
Folklore, medical and otherwise, endorses many other agents, from aloe leaves to tea bags to meat tenderizer. These remedies are generally harmless, but are of questionable value.
I am married to a wonderful husband with a three year old. Good luck and a old remedy is to use White Shoe polish to try it up.
We've got something that works: www.royaloil.org Email with a mailing address for a free sample. This is next-level stuff, NOT a "home remedy"! --MaryK
Hello, I have seen lots of Poison Ivy in my day and if Zanfel didn't work nothing will except good old open air and sunshine, only after you break down and go to your doctor and get a Cortisone shot. Poison Ivy weeps and where it touches the skin is how it spreads. Covering it is not a great idea. (moisture breeds bacteria) It will go away in a matter of a few days if you get the shot. Some people are just more sensitive to poison Ivy that others and you are appearantly one of those people. I've been a nurse for 32 years and have 5 kids, of which 2 get Poison Ivy if the wind blows it seems, one gets mild cases but Zanfel clears it up over night and the other 2 and myself can sit it the middle of Poison Ivy and never get it. People that are more sensitive (like you appear to be) usually can't find a home remedy unfortunately. The weeping will go away quickly after the Cortisone Injection. Sorry Joyce
Alicia--You need to see your doctor and have a shot. This will help the poison ivy(it is NOT a miracle cure but will help). Sounds like you really have it bad. I have started getting it more and more each year. At the FIRST sign I call my doctors office and get a shot. He also prescribed some steroid cream. He said to use the calamine lotion and some of the things you are doing. Good luck. Sure hope you get some releif.
I have found that medicated powder like Gold Bond or even the dollar store brand really helps. I just keep putting it on all through the dy. It helps to dry it out and the slight sting really feels good against the itch.
The last time that I had poison ivy I applied Clorox bleach directly to the blisters and it cleared up quickly. This probably isn't the "best" choice but it does work quickly.
Good luck!
Sounds like you may be hypersensitive to it.
Covering it with bandages is one of the worst things you can do.
My ex was so sensitive to it that he would blister to the point that he looked like a burn victim, and scratch until he drew blood. The only thing that helped him was a prescription strength antihistamine called Atarax.
You really, really need to go to the doctor. You don't want this to become infected. I've always heard you should go to the dr. when it gets on your face, too.
In the meantime, the powder/cornstarch/calamine (anything to dry it) suggestions are good. Maybe try a paste of 1% cortizone cream and Gold Bond or cornstarch powder. Hope it gets better fast.
Hi Alicia!
I am also going to school full time for my RN degree, but have the unique perspective of also having been a certified master herbalist and aromatherapist for the last 15 years.
For poison Ivy (and I react as severely as you do!), I have found nothing on earth better than a combination homeopathic remedy by Hylands, just called Hylands Poison Ivy/Oak Tablets. They run about $6 for a bottle and bring relief very quickly when taken per package directions. They are safe for adults and children alike, and will not interact with any prescription or OTC medications.
Homeopathic tablets work with our body to help it do what it needs to do, using its own defenses. They are tiny pellets that dissolve almost instantly under the tongue. Follow the package directions for acute dosage until your symptoms improve.
When taking homeopathics, be sure you do not have any residues of food, coffee, or toothpaste in your mouth; take them at least 15 minutes prior to or after having eaten, drunk, or brushed your teeth (for maximum absorption and effectiveness.)
Hope you are feeling better soon!
Dianne
Once you get poison ivy this bad the best thing you can do is go to the doctor and get a steriod shot. They also perscribe predisone which works pretty fast - but the shot is much faster. You should have relief within a day - but it won't be completely gone for a few days.
But - it appears that you are extremely sensitive to poison ivy - so preventing it in the future is your best option. To prevent it - go to the health food store and get the natural remedy called Rhus tox. I use Rhus tox 30X. Disolve two tablets under your tongue both morning and night for one week. Then - skip the morning or the evening after that and reduce down to two tablets a day. This works much like a vaccine - as Rhus tox is derived from the poison ivy plant. The remedy is normally used for inflamation - such as stiffness in joints - but I took it when I was having problems with a knee and found that making me immune to poison ivy was a side effect. I don't even get it now - and I used to get if from the laundry when my boys went fishing - or from petting the dog when she had been in the field. I was REALLY sensitive - and now I can walk through it and not break out at all. Once you have been through one bottle of Rhus tox, you can quit taking it. Take another bottle next year just before spring - and after that you can probably just forget it unless you have another outbreak. I haven't taken the Rhus tox in two years and still seem to be immune to the poison ivy, so I'm guessing it lasts awhile.
Blessings,
Patty
You need to find out where you are getting poison ivy and stay away from it! You are doing all of the remedies I know of. Good luck and for God's sakes find that poison ivy and have someone cut it down.
My mother in law (RN) is horribly allergic to poison ivy and oak . . . she becomes one large blimp . . . what she does as soon as she gets it to avoid blimping is she takes baking soda and puts a little water in it to make a paste then smears it all over the infected area and places a large bandaid or bandages it and leaves it there over night to draw out the moisture/oil. This also works for boils and deep acne pimples . . . I have used it on my husband (also horribly allergic) and it seems to keep it from spreading or weeping because it helps dry it out. Hope this helps. Once again create a paste out of baking soda and water, cover the wound and then cover the paste with bandages or large bandaid. Good luck!!!
hey,
i am letting you know that this is what happens when you have an alergic reaction. I do the same and so does my dad we have to go get medicines and shots to heal faster and if it is getting pussy instead of clear liquid our doctor said it calls for antibiotics to help. go see your doctor some of those things you have used may cause irritaion because it is no longer just poison ivy but an allergic reaction.
it will only get worse until you get proffesional help. and i would hate for you to get sick because that happend to my dad when he let it go to far. not trying to scare you but only telling you my experiences and what i have been told medically.
desiree
I know you got a lot of good advice- and you may think this is worthless. But I know anythings worth the relief. The main thing is to get it to dry up. I heard from a couple people that their Dr. said to use plain tap water. The chlorine in it is supposed to be drying. So- I guess soak awhile or sponge on awhile. What my husband used was an over the counter clear gel called Rhuli Gel. Its cool and releiving and dries it up. Not as ugly or messy as calamine yet works as well if not better.
Judy